In 1987 a British tourist visiting Tibet wearing a "Sgt. Bilko" T-shirt had Chinese soldiers attempt to rip it off her. Why?

In its edition of November 13, 1987 The Los Angeles Times reported "A Chinese soldier in Tibet who tried to tear off a British woman's "Sergeant Bilko" T-shirt has become the first known case of someone mistaking Phil Silvers for the Dalai Lama. As Kris Tait, 25, described the scene to British newspapers today, a large crowd of Tibetans apparently agreed with him about a likeness between the late American comedian and Tibet's exiled god-king. Tait said she was in the town of Gyangste when a soldier noticed the shirt. She said that as he tried to rip it off, a crowd of Tibetans gathered, pointing at the portrait and chanting "Dalai Lama!" The tourist said she wrenched free and fled to find a change of clothes."

(The photo above is, of course, the great Phil Silvers as Bilko)